NEWSPAPERS: Newspaper readership remains strong even in thick of recession - More than two-thirds of U.S. adults read a newspaper either in print or online during a typical week, even though paid circulation levels have declined at most dailies for much of the past decade. By Jon Chesto.

LIGHTHOUSE: Monomoy Lighthouse to get repairs, thanks to stimulus - The Department of Interior is using $1.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to repair historic Monomoy Light, the keeper’s house and the oil storage shed. By Doreen Leggett.

RAILROAD: Cape-based Massachusetts Coastal Railroad to expand freight service - Massachusetts Coastal Railroad, a subsidiary of Hyannis-based Cape Rail, Inc. will acquire nearly 33 additional miles of railroad lines on the South Coast. By The Regsiter.

Cape-based Massachusetts Coastal Railroad to expand freight serviceMassachusetts Coastal Railroad, a subsidiary of Hyannis-based Cape Rail, Inc. will acquire nearly 33 additional miles of railroad lines on the South Coast.

SOLAR PANELS: Solar plan will be Cape's largest commercial project - In December, 381 solar panels will grace roof over Orleans Marketplace, making it the largest commercial solar project on the Cape. By Doreen Leggett.

PHILIP MADDOCKS: Republicans urge task force to release more guideline for them to attack -- Saying that a federal task force’s new recommendations on breast cancer screening had confirmed the worst fears of people who oppose a government role in medical decision making, Republicans in Congress argued for the release of even more controversial findings from the group.

GUEST COLUMN: Sen. Richard Tisei: For more jobs, state must rethink business policies - With the state's unemployment rate hovering dangerously close to 10 percent, and over 300,000 residents without a job, Massachusetts could use a plan for jump-starting the economy and getting people back to work. Unfortunately, you'd be hard-pressed to find any significant jobs creation plan coming from Governor Patrick or the Legislature.

MEREDITH O'BRIEN: My Christmas story, courtesy of Hollywood -- Watching the flawed and funny Parker family would help me place my family’s holiday foibles into a different context, one far removed from the one peddled by all forms of media everywhere advising me, the mom, how to create perfect holiday memories with my kids -- something which I never seemed to be quite able to achieve.

HOLIDAY MOVIES: Season's screenings: Hollywood comes bearing gifts - From big-budget sci-fi fantasies to old-style animation, nearly two-dozen holiday films will be released in the next few weeks, just in time for Oscar consideration. By Al Alexander.

MUSIC SCENE: Singer-songwriter Chuck Prophet expands horizons on ‘Let Freedom Ring’ - Chuck Prophet said his new album is “political songs for people who hate protest music. I love this country and the freedom is affords us. And the song ‘Let Freedom Ring!’ is about that, but also about the . . . free market economy run riot that got us into this mess.” By Jay N. Miller.

THEATER REVIEW: A 'Carousel' you'll want to keep riding - With their production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel," the Turtle Lane Playhouse has found the key to a very satisfying evening in the theater. By David Brooks Andrews.